Upholstery spring turning and positioning machine



March 26 1935. K. KAISER 1,995,641

UPH OQSTERY SPRING TURNING AND POSITIONING MACHINE Filed Jan. 30, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR KARL KAISER ZL, HI AT RNEY K. KAISER 1,995,641

UFHOLSTERY SPRING TURNING AND POSITIONING MACHINE March 26, 1935.

Filed Jan. 30, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mx w 4 mw a 5 5 7 i G 5 3 .l 5 5 .0

m 5 v M INVENTOR KARL KN ER BY M- use/C1- HI5 ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 26, 1935 UNITED STATES UPHOLSTERY SPRING TURNINGAND POSITIONING MAcHINE Karl Kaiser, Michigan City, Ind., assignor to S. Karpen & Bros, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of 7 Illinois Application January 30,

1932, Serial No. 589,815

3 Claims. 7 (01. 22618) My present invention relates to upholstering machines and more particularly to an improved upholstery spring positioning machine.

My present invention relates particularly to a machine for correctly and finally positioning springs located in pockets formed in a strip of fabric material of indeterminate length. In the copending application of myself and Charles Lofman, for Improvements in spring inserting machines, Serial No. 589,816 filed January 30, 1932,

there is described. and claimed a novel mechanism for forming and inserting springs in the open end of pockets formed in a fabric strip of indeterminate length which, after the spring inserting operation has taken place, closes the open mouth of the pocket by sewing or in any other suitable manner. The pockets referred to as being formed in the strip of fabric extend transversely of the length of such strip, and the length of such pockets is ordinarily longer than the width thereof, as ordinarily springs for upholstering are longer than the diameter. The machine referred to as being disclosed and claimed in the above application inserted the springs under compression in the pockets and with the axis of the spring perpendicular to the length of the pockets or in a position approximately 90 removed from the final position the springs should occupy therein. As stated above, the springs are fed into the pockets under compression and after the inserting operation, such springs are released and expanded, but cannot expand to a greater length than approximately the diameter of the spring itself so that the spring after it is fed from the machine that closes the open end of the pocket is still under compression.

In this my present machine, I have devised an improved means for turning such springs from the position in which they are fed from the spring inserting machine into their final position within the pockets, where the axis of the spring coincides with the longitudinal axis of the pockets and in the present drawings accompanying this specification, I have shown one preferred embodiment of my invention, such embodiment consisting, essentially of means for engaging with the outside of the pockets at diametrically opposed points with regard to the spring contained therein and impartturning movement to such spring and disturbthe equilibrium of this spring within the pocket to such an extent that the natural resiliency of the spring which is being held under compression will aid in the turning operation and complete the initial turning movement imparted to by the turning means. One

such turning means takes the form of a pair of levers oppositely arranged with respect to the spring and located one on each side of the strip of fabric containing the springs and with each of such levers is associated a spring mounted turning 5 pad which engages with the pocket in the fabric and imparts a turning movement to the spring contained therein' Means is also provided for simultaneously approached or engage with or are shnultaneously moved away fromthe pocket 10 springs.

The object of my invention therefore is an improved spring turning machine.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates in elevation a spring inserting l5 and pocket sewing machine such as is described and claimed in the copending application above referred to and with my improved spring turning mechanism associated therewith;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the discharge 20 end of the spring inserting and pocket sewing machine showing my improved spring turning device in association therewith;

Fig. 3 is' a sectional elevation on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, showing the spring turning levers opcrating on a spring located within a pocket in a strip of fabric; and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the spring turning elements out of engagement with the spring and with the spring in its final position within the pocket.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates a pedestal on the top of which is mounted a spring making machine indicated by the reference numeral 11, from which is issuing a spring 12 in process of formation, and which spring when completely formed is fed into a chute 13 and downwardly in such chute into association with the mechanism designated generally by the reference numeral 16 which inserts the same into the pocket 14 formed with its longitudinal axis transverse to the length of fabric strip 15 of indeterminate length.

The strip of fabric 15 is preferably fed manually to the mechanism 16 for inserting the springs 12 and as such springs are fed the fabric is moved to the left as shown in Fig. 1 or in the direction of the arrow shown and gradually approaches and are fed through the tapered mouth 17 of a compressing device where the springs within the pockets 15 are compressed, while a mechanism 18 operates thereon to align the plies of fabric constituting the open mouth of the pockets 14. After alignment such springs are still held compressed and the strip of fabric 15 is fed through a sewing machine 19 where the open mouth of the pockets 14 is sewed up permanently enclosing the springs 12 therein. Referring to Fig. 4, it will be noted that the pockets 14 have their longitudinal axis perpendicular to the length of the strip of fabric 15, and the springs 12 therein are arranged with their longitudinal axis perpendicular to the axis of such pockets 14, and therefore, as indicated in the dotted lines in Fig. 4, the springs 12 are held under compression. The strip of fabric 15 C011." taining the pocketed springs 12 is fed through the sewing machine 19 by the pair of endless belts 20; suitably driven from any desired source andgradually moved out of association with the belts as shown in Fig. 2, the pockets 14 then assumingthe position shown in such figure and with the springs 12 compressed therein.

The feeding and sewing mechanism above described is mounted on the top 21 of a frame: work 22, and on a sub-frame 23 of such frame work 22 is mounted a prime mover such as a motor 24 which; delivers: power through. belts 25; and 26 to a shaft 27. On one end of the shaft 2'7 is mounted a sprocket 28 which is; in alignment with a sprocket 29 mounted on a shaft ISO-that is rotatably mounted in aligned bearings 3-1 and 32in parallelly arranged side frames 33and; 34 secured to; the top 21 by bolts 35, or in any other suitable manner. Over the aligned sprockets 28 and. 29 runs a sprocket, chain 36and by means of which power is transmitted from the shaft 27 to the shaft 30. The side frames-33 and 34 are held in spaced relation with respect, toieach other by shafts or bars 37 and 38. Secured to one of. the sideframea as 33, is an angle-member. 39 which supports a curved guideplate 40 and over which the pocketed fabric 15isfed by gravity, as shown in Fig. 2. Rotably mcuntedon the shaft 37 is a bearing hub-'41- which has extending radially outward therefrom a lever arm 42, to-the front or free end: of which is secured=, by bolt 43, a spring arm-44, suchspring arm carrying at its outer or free enda spring turning pad 45. J ournalled in bearings 46 and 47. in the side framemembers 33 and 34 respectively is a shaft 48* which has secured thereto an eccentric cam 49; Associated with the eccentric cam, 49 is an eccentric strap 50, to one portion of: which, is secured or has formed integral therewith one'end of aconnecting rod 51'. The other end of. this connecting rod 51 is providedwith aforkedmember 52 which is pivotally mounted: at 53 to the lever 42. Rotary movement of the shaft 4,8v will therefore-impart an oscillatory movement to. the lever- 42 fromthe full line position shown in Fig. 3 to the upper dot and dash position, shown in Fig. 3 thus, imparting anoscillatory movement to. the spring: turning pad- 45 from the full dot and. dash positiom shown in such figure; Not; only willthe spring turning pad 45 be movedlfrom'theposition shown in fu l lines inFig. Btothe-upper dot..and dash; position in such figure but due tetheresiliencyof the spring 44, the spring turning pad will, due to the movement from the uppen dot. and dash line position tothe fullline position causean additional movement of the spring: turning pad 45 from the full position downwardly or to.the left and into the lower dotand dash position as shown insuchfigure. 3;.to thereby engage with the spring 12 enclosed? in the pocket 14 of the strip. of fabric 15..

Thedevicejust described isutilized to impart a turning movement to the spring. 12 by engaging with. one portion thereof, and I have also provided a similar device adapted to engage with the diametrically opposite portion of the. spring 12 to cause a rotary movement of such spring within the pocket 14, such device consisting of a hub 53 rotatably mounted on the shaft 38, such hub having a lever 54 extending radially therefrom and in generally upward direction as viewed in Fig. 3, the free end of the lever 54 having adjustably mounted thereon by means of the bolt 55, a spring. 56 to the free end of which is attached a spring turning pad 57. Secured to the shaft is an eccentric cam 58 which has associated therewith an eccentric strap 59, one end of a connecting rod 60 being connected to or formed integral with an eccentric strap 59. The other end of a. connecting. rodv 60 is provided with a forked memberv 61 which is pivotally mounted at 62 to the lever 54. Rotation of the shaft 30 will cause an oscillatory motion to be given to the lever 54 to move the same from the full line position shown in Fig. 3 to the dot and dash position shown in such figure and to simultaneously move thespring. turning pad 57 from the full line position to the dot and dash line position. As in the case of the spring turning pad 45, there is impartedi to the spring turning pad 57 an additional movement when the spring is moved from the dot and dash position to the full line position which moves such pad into the dotted position and thereby brings the same into engagement with the spring; 12 at. a point diametrically opposite to that engaged by the spring turning pad 45.

On the shaft 48. is secured a sprocket. 66, which is in. alignment with asimilar sprocket 6'? on the shaft 30 and over such sprockets runs a sprocket chain 68 and by means of which rotary movement is imparted to the shaft 48 from the shaft 30,- such shafts running at the same speed and in the same direction. The spring 12 being acted on: as indicated in Fig. 3 and being under tension, such spring will, once it. has assumed a. position slightly perpendicular, or having assumcda-pprox-imately the position shown in Fig. 3, the resiliency of the spring due to the compressionunder which it is housed within. the pocket 14-wil1be-suflicient tocause. the-spring to assist in and complete. the turning movement, or will movefrom. the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shown in- Fig. 4, where it will be noted that the spring 12 is now positioned. with its axis extending transverse to the length of the fabric strip. 15.

It will be notedthat the pocket 14 being operated upon andwhich contains one of the springs 12 is held. free of any direct support as such pocket is actually suspended by the fabric 15, which fabric. is supported at the feeding belts 20 and the sheet metal supporting guide.

When the end of the fabric strip 15 is moved out from under the influence of the pair of feed belts- 20, it is possible that it will be necessary to manually hold. the first pocket 14 in position to have the spring turning pads 45 act thereon toturn the spring from the position shown in dotted lines in- Fig. 4 to. the position shown in fulllines insuch figure and that it may be necessary thereafter to assist in placing the various pockets 14 onthe guide plate and support until a. sufiicient number of the pockets 14 with the springs therein are inposition on suchguide and support 40as shown. in Fig. 2. After a sufficient number of suchpockets 14 with the springs therein have been placed on the guide support 40, gravity will be sufficient to feed the fabric strip 15. so as to successfully position the pockets 14 in alignment with the spring turning pads and 57. A pocket l4=with the spring 12.therein coming into position to be engaged by the spring turning pads 45 and 57 and the shafts 30 and 48 rotating simultaneously will cause the levers 42 and 54 to move from the dot and dash line position shown in Fig. 3 to the full line position shown in such figure and due to the resiliency of the springs 44 and 56, the pads 45 and 57 carried thereby respectively will overrun their position and will move from the full line position shown in Fig. 3 to the dotted position shown in such figure where it will be seen that the spring turning pads 45 and 57 will engage with the spring 12 at diametrically opposed points thereby imparting a turning movement to the spring 12 within the pocket 14. As above described, once the spring 12 has been moved into an unbalanced position within the pocket 14, the resiliency of such spring due, to the fact that such spring is under compression, will cause the same to expand and assume correct and final position within the pocket 14 as shown in full lines in Fig. 4.

While I have necessarily shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention somewhat in detail, it is to be understood that I may vary the size, shape and arrangement of parts comprising the device within relatively Wide limits without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. In a device of the kind described, the combination of means for feeding an indeterminate length of fabric material having a plurality of pockets formed therein and with the longitudinal axes of the pockets arranged parallel to each other and transversely of the length of the material, each said pocket having a coil spring arranged therein, and with the longitudinal axis of the spring perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of its enclosing pocket, means constituting part of the material feeding means arranged at the exit end of said feeding means and compressing the springs in the pockets of the material, said latter means ejecting the pockets containing the compressed springs successively and permitting the springs to expand, means for imparting hammer blows to said ejected springs in succession, while enclosed in its pocket, and at diametrically opposite points to initiate a turning movement of the springs within the pockets.

2. In a device of the kind described, the combination of means for feeding an indeterminate length of fabric material having a plurality of pockets formed therein and with the longitudinal axes of the pockets arranged parallel to each other and transversely of the length of the material, each said pocket having a coil spring arranged therein, and with the longitudinal axis of the spring perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of its enclosing pocket, means constituting part of the material feeding means arranged at the exit end of said feeding means and compressing the springs in the pockets of the material, said latter means ejecting the pockets containing the compressed springs successively and permitting the springs to expand, means for imparting hammer blows to said ejected springs in succession, each enclosed in its pocket, and at diametrically opposite points simultaneously, to initiate a turning movement of the springs within the pockets.

3. In a device of the kind described, the combination of means for feeding an indeterminate length of fabric material having a plurality of pockets formed therein, and with the longitudinal axes of the pockets arranged parallel to each other and transversely of the length of the material, each said pocket having a coil spring arranged therein, and with the longitudinal axis of the spring perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of its enclosing pocket, means constituting part of the material feeding means arranged at the exit end of said feeding means and compressing the springs in the pockets of the material, said latter means ejecting the pockets containing the compressed springs successively and permitting the springs to expand, and a pair of resiliently supported spring turning pads adapted to engage with and deliver a hammer blow simultaneously to diametrically opposite corners of each ejected spring successively, to initiate a turning movement of the spring within an enclosing pocket.

KARL KAISER. 

